11 PROVA DE INGLÊS TÉCNICO

Unfortunately, computers cannot understand ordinary spoken English or any other natural language. The only language they can understand directly is called machine code: central processors operate on codes which consist of a series of binary digits. In this form, the instructions are said to be in machine code. However, machine code as a means of communication is very difficult to write. For this reason, we use symbolic languages that are easier to understand. Then, by using a special program, these languages can be translated into machine code. For example, assembly languages use abbreviations to represent instructions. Basic languages, where the program is similar to the machine code version, are known as low-level languages. In these languages, each instruction is equivalent to a single machine code instruction, and the program is converted into machine code by a special program called an assembler. These languages are still quite complex and restricted to particular machines. To make the programs easier to write and to overcome the problem of intercommunication between different types of machines, higher-level languages were designed. These languages are all problem-oriented rather than machine-oriented and can all be converted into the machine codes of different types of computers. Programs written in one of these languages are converted into a lowlevel language by means of a compiler. On compilation, each statement in a high-level language is generally translated into many machine code instructions. BASIC is a general-purpose high-level programming language, originally designed to develop programs in conversational mode. This language is found on most microcomputers because it is user-friendly and easy to learn. It allows the user to interact with the program while it is being executed, which means that data can be input while the program is running. Each instruction is given a line number which defines the logical sequence of statements within the program. People communicate instructions to the computer in symbolic languages and the easier this communication can be made the wider the applications of computers will be. Scientists are already working on Artificial Intelligence and the next generation of computers may be able to understand human languages. (From ESTERAS, Santiago R. Infotech. English for computer users. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1997, p.104/110, adapted.)

12 Choose the option that best completes the following statements. according to the text. QUESTÃO 31 The word designed (line 19) means a) b) c) d) created destined reserved selected
QUESTÃO 32 The word user-friendly (line 28) means a) b) c) d) ready to use proper to use easy to use quick to use
QUESTÃO 33 The word allows (line 29) means a) b) c) d) guides helps stimulates permits
QUESTÃO 34 The word running (line 31) means a) b) c) d) in action about to end being installed speeding up
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13 QUESTÃO 35 Central processors operate on codes because a) b) c) d) spoken English cannot be written in binary digits natural languages have no meaning to computers some of the instructions are difficult to follow machine code is said to operate more rapidly
QUESTÃO 36 Machine code is a means of conveying a) b) c) d) digits processors assemblers compilers
QUESTÃO 37 The function of an assembler is to a) b) c) d) pass instructions from code to language create the language of particular machines change programs into low-level languages translate basic languages into machine code
QUESTÃO 38 “Each instruction is given a line number” means that a) b) c) d) a line number indicates many instructions each instruction receives a line number each instruction determines the line number a line sends a number to all instructions
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14 QUESTÃO 39 ”The easier this communication can be made the wider the applications will be” means that applications a) b) c) d) decrease as communication is made in symbolic language are developed at a slower pace than that of communication increase in a degree equal to the facility of communication are devised regardless of the communication languages
QUESTÃO 40 The central idea of this text concerns a) b) c) d) basic languages assembly languages programming languages high-level languages
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